MONTE REAL, Portugal – U.S. Airmen from the 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepare an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for take-off in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 14, 2013.This is the first time the 81st has participated in REAL THAW, a multinational exercise hosted by the Portuguese military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – An A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 81st Fighter Squadron takes off Feb. 8, 2013. The 81st FS is participating in REAL THAW 13, and will support the Portuguese military in realistic combat scenarios, including close air support, forward air control, combat search and rescue, air interdiction, maritime air support, and special operations forces integration and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 81st Fighter Squadron prepare to exit their aircraft on Ramp 4 here April 10 after returning from a deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Friends and family waited by to greet six of the squadron’s pilots who had been providing close air support during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks/Released)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Capt. Aaron Bigler, 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, talks with Bulgarian air force Lt. Col. Spas Erev, air traffic control chief, and Bulgarian air force Maj. Stoyan Petkov, air traffic controller, about the capabilities of the A-10 here Feb. 16. Colonel Erev and Major Petkov visited from Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, with other members of the Bulgarian air force to become more familiar with U.S. Air Force air traffic control operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Fredericks)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Bulgarian air force Lt. Col. Spas Erev, air traffic control chief, climbs down from the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II after a brief explaining the pilot’s interaction with air traffic controllers here Feb. 16. Colonel Erev visited from Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, with other members of the Bulgarian air force to become more familiar with U.S. Air Force air traffic control operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Fredericks)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Bulgarian air force Maj. Stoyan Petkov, air traffic controller, listens to communications between an air traffic controller and an aircraft in the air traffic control tower here Feb. 16. Major Petkov visited from Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, with other members of the Bulgarian air force to become more familiar with U.S. Air Force air traffic control operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Fredericks)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Capt. Aaron Bigler, 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, talks with Bulgarian air force Maj. Stoyan Petkov, air traffic controller, as he flies an A-10 flight simulator here Feb. 16. Major Petkov visited from Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, with other members of the Bulgarian air force to become more familiar with U.S. Air Force air traffic control operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Fredericks)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Bulgarian air force Lt. Col. Spas Erev, air traffic control chief, looks up as he flies an A-10 Thunderbolt II flight simulator here Feb. 16. Colonel Erev visited from Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, with other members of the Bulgarian air force to become more familiar with U.S. Air Force air traffic control operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Fredericks)